Surrey's rural locations and secluded spots are harbouring a sordid secret - the county is the UK's 'dogging' capital.

Of the 222 sites designated by police across the UK as 'public sex environments' (PSEs), nearly half are found in the county.

According to figures released by Surrey Police under the Freedom of Information Act, there are 93 such locations countywide.

The sites, where strangers meet to engage in sexual activity, are discussed publicly on the internet but the county's police force does not pinpoint their locations because of ongoing operations.

Assistant Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said recording practices for PSEs differed widely between each force area and that any comparison between numbers of sites was likely to be highly subjective.

"Surrey is a rural county with good transport links and would expect a high number to be recorded as the force takes a proactive approach to identify and monitor areas of concern," he said.

"The vast majority of known sites in Surrey are public toilets where sexual activity is an offence.

"Whilst it is not illegal to engage in sexual activity outdoors, there are a number of offences which could result from this such as causing alarm or distress to others, outraging public indecency or exposure.

"Surrey Police carries out preventative patrols in the most active sites or where activity is causing community concerns and these make up around 10% of the total.

"If any criminal acts are witnessed or reported then appropriate action will be taken and in the past 12 months offenders have been dealt with by various means including cautions, charges and court summons.

"We are also working to tackle criminals who prey on people meeting in isolated spots to commit robbery or assault against them in the hope it will go unreported, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to come forward in confidence."

'Hanky-panky'

Within Surrey, Guildford has the most 'dogging' spots of any borough or district with 16. Runnymede and Waverley have only three sites each.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's unacceptable for people to have sex in public where people can see you."

In Reigate and Banstead 13 locations were identified, and then 12 each in Mole Valley and Surrey Heath.

Reigate and Banstead Neighbourhood Inspector Richard Haycock said the area's figures could be down to its size and number of residents.

He said: "Reigate and Banstead has the highest population of a borough in the county.

"There are more people living here than in other places and we have really good transport links out of London, to the south, down to the coast - buses, trains and roads.

"It is a very busy borough and I suspect that's why we feature highly when you look at any numeric table in any category."

Known for its pretty villages, beautiful properties and rolling countryside, the borough of Elmbridge was fifth on the county list with 10 PSEs.

Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, said he was concerned by the situation.

"I don't agree with it, I don't agree there should be designated areas where people go to 'pick-up joints'," he said.

Mr Raab said a woman from Elmbridge visited him recently and said she had been propositioned while out walking her dog in Ockham.

"I had other people say they think it is a bit rich because they don't want to take their children out," he added.

"It is a question of safety, it is regarding parks and countryside that are areas that everyone should be able to enjoy and people don't want to take their children places where people are having hanky-panky."